Weekend Best Bets for February 4-6

A to-do list of this weekend's best offerings.

Published: February 04, 2011

Friday, February 4

New Year’s, part II

WHAT: Chinese New YearWHERE: Midtown Global Market, MinneapolisWHEN: 5 to 8 p.m.If you didn’t quite get started on your new year’s resolutions, worry not: For much of the world, the new year is just starting, and this celebration is likely to top anything you did to celebrate earlier: the famous Lion Dance, martial-arts demos, fortune tellers, and, of course, terrific food. FYI, it’s the year of the rabbit. Learn more at midtownglobalmarket.org

Friday, February 4

Somewhere ogre the rainbow

WHAT: Shrek: The MusicalWHERE: Orpheum Theatre, MinneapolisWHEN: various times, through Feb. 6We can’t explain the Shrek phenomenon anymore than the green monster himself could. But at least this Broadway musical version puts the popular series in its proper surreal context: We’re in love with a big, ugly ogre and what could be more logical than to have him sing for us? Learn more at hennepintheatretrust.org

String theorists

WHAT: The Kronos QuartetWHERE: Walker Art Center, MinneapolisWHEN: 8 p.m.The most accomplished, and charismatic, string quartet in the country plays two nights at the Walker Art Center as the Kronos Quartet x 2: Friday’s program will highlight selections from their new recording of adventurous Middle-Eastern music; on Saturday, they’ll play new work from the worlds of indie-rock (Damon Albarn), electronic music, and new jazz (Maria Schneider). Learn more at walkerart.org

Sunday, February 5

Bow down before Titian

WHAT: Titian and the Golden Age of Venetian PaintingWHERE: Minneapolis Institute of Arts, MinneapolisWHEN: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.Some of the richest, most masterful art in the world goes on view at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts today, fulfilling every expectation of great European art-ogling: massive canvases, symbolism galore, and heaps of fleshy nymphs and such. Plus, the MIA will unveil its latest acquisition: an extremely rare map of Venice acquired last December for seven figures. Learn more at artsmia.org

Sunday, February 5

Music of love

WHAT: Bakken TrioWHERE: MacPhail Center for Music, MinneapolisWHEN: 4 p.m.Minnesota Orchestra members Celine Leathead, Ken Freed, and Arek Tesarcyk play romantic music composed by Robert and Clara Schumann, possibly inspired by the third member of their historic love triangle, Johannes Brahms. Learn more at bakkentrio.org

Get Your Tickets Now!

NEW IN 2018! Join us in St. Cloud for the first in our three event series. Sample high-end spirits from around the world, enjoy gourmet bites, and be entertained by local bartenders. April 12th at 912 Regency Plaza